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Blood Circulation Problems: Signs & Symptoms

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Good health is the biggest wealth on the earth and for that we need to have proper blood circulation through our body. Blood circulation problems can be found in any part of the body and it can lead to several health complications. Blood Circulatory problems do not start in a day and is generally the result of years of poor health. The following article provides the information about signs and symptoms of blood circulation problems.

To deliver oxygen and necessary nutrients to different parts of the body is the function of blood in the body. When all the necessary parts of the body do not get the blood, it can cause some serious health problems which are called as blood circulation problems. Blood circulation system comprises two sections such as systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation. The systemic circulation constitutes blood supply to the whole body except the lungs. In this procedure, arteries carry oxygenated blood from heart to the other parts of body and the veins bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

The pulmonary circulation carries blood to and from the lungs, where its supply of oxygen is refilled. Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from heart to the lungs and the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart. Organisms having lungs follow a dual circulating system of blood flow in their body, namely systemic and pulmonary circulation. The symptoms of blood circulation problems are localized to the area where there is an insufficient amount of blood supply.

Poor circulation of blood in the body is caused by inadequate supply of blood or improper functioning of the blood vessels. Some disorders of the arteries and veins such as abnormal narrowing, abnormal widening and thinning of the walls can reduce the flow of blood, causing tissue damage, thus increasing the chances of rupture. Other factors such as smoking, improper diet, obesity, excessive intake of alcohol and lack of physical exercise also lead to poor blood circulation.

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Blood Circulation Problems: Symptoms & Signs

As the circulatory system covers our whole body, the problems can also be marked in numerous ways.

Brain:
20% of the circulated blood in the body is received by the brain. When blood flow towards the brain is dropped, brain functions sub-optimally that result in feeling lethargic, loss of memory, lack of mental clarity, etc. Symptoms of poor blood circulation to the brain are frequent unexplained headaches and sudden attacks of dizziness.

Limbs:
On our arms and legs poor blood circulation can have serious impact. Sudden numbness of our hands, feet and fingers or suffer painful leg cramps are experienced. Varicose veins or a condition called cyanosis, when part of our skin turns blue or black due to lack of adequate oxygen to the concerned tissues are the symptoms of serious blood circulation problems.

Heart:
The symptoms of poor blood circulation to the heart are chest pain, high blood pressure and rise in the level of cholesterol. Difficulty in performing any common task such as climbing stairs, walking a stretch could make you very tired and breathless.

Kidneys:
Kidneys play a significant role in regulating and monitoring the blood pressure other than eliminating the waste and excess water from the bodies. The symptoms of poor blood circulation to the kidneys are swelling of hands, feet and ankles, rise in blood pressure, altered heart rate and tiredness all the time.

Liver:
The early symptoms of poor blood circulation to the liver are lack of appetite or sudden weight loss and also your skin looks luster-less, it is quite possible that your liver is getting ‘sluggish’.

Sex drive:
Poor blood circulation can also affect the reproductive organs and the symptoms are lack of sex drive and fatigue. Lack of vitality is also included in the symptoms. Serious blood circulation problems could make one impotent also.

Other symptoms:

Pale Skin:
Blood pooled in a particular part of the body may result in bluish looking skin as the blood can be seen through it. Poor circulation can cause the skin to look blue in the arms, hands, legs and feet for an extended period of time. Alternatively, localized areas of the skin that are pale in similarity to the rest of the body might also point out a problem with blood circulation.

Healing Interference:
Another sign of low blood circulation is cuts and other open wounds may take longer time to heal. You may also notice that ulcers or infections in the legs and feet heal very slowly. This means scabs can take longer to form and some wounds might need medical attention when it otherwise would not be essential.

Tingling sensation:
Circulatory problems symptom can be a tingling or pins and needles sensation in the hands and feet especially if the pain does not subside after stretching or moving around.

Leg Pain while Walking:
Pain or cramping of the leg or hip muscles while walking, climbing stairs or another similar physical activity are the common symptoms of poor blood circulation. This is a condition known as intermittent claudication, which is a sign of PAD.

Numbness and Weakness:
You may have low blood circulation if your arms or legs feel numb or weak while you are active or at rest. If these symptoms in your arms and legs come about suddenly and are accompanied by double vision, headaches and slurred speech then you may have Vertebrobasilar Circulatory Disorder Symptoms which occur when blood does not properly flow to the back of the brain.

Coldness and Swelling:
Coldness in feet, hands or lower legs all the time for no apparent reason may be the sign of poor blood circulation. Low blood circulation due to PAD or atherosclerosis tends to produce coldness in one foot, hand or leg over the other. Swelling in the extremities due to poor circulation, particularly in the legs and feet can also be noticed.

Chest Pain:
You may have low blood circulation in the arteries to your heart if you experience chest pain or angina, as well as any other symptoms of a heart attack. You should see your doctor immediately to prevent a potentially life-threatening medical problem, if you have chest pain.

Treatment to Increase Blood Circulation:

Exercise regularly and begin it with light exercise program as well as slowly increase the intensity.

Medication like anticoagulants and anti-platelet agents can help to prevent blood clotting.

Surgery may be undertaken to use a vein from another part of the body to bypass a blocked or narrowed artery.

To stimulate the blood circulation, take hot and cold showers. Warm water causes blood vessels to dilate and cold water does the opposite. With the alternative use of warm and cold shower, it would facilitate in the circulation of blood to your extremities.

Avoid smoking as cigarette has a high content of nicotine. This can be toxic, once accumulated in your blood stream causing constriction of the blood vessels most especially in the extremities.

Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day for proper hydration.